Savvy and stellar global public health advocates syndicate and synergise to shape and supercharge safety policies for a thriving Africa.
Advocacy in Action in Africa!
Special thanks to our donors for the gift of this congress!
Speakers
Michael Kariuki
He is a Consultant Paediatrician, Public Health Specialist, and Epidemiologist with over 15 years of experience in clinical practice, public health, and leadership. With a strong interest in harm reduction related to tobacco, alcohol, and pesticides, he is a founding member and the Secretary General of the Harm Reduction Society of Kenya—a multidisciplinary organization of experts in clinical care, psychiatry, public health, health economics, and law, dedicated to promoting dignity and respect for all. Over the past four years, he has led extensive work in Tobacco Harm Reduction, including research on toxicants in smokeless tobacco products in Kenya. He has actively sensitized healthcare professionals across East Africa, including medical doctors, through scientific conferences and forums. A passionate advocate for children and youth health and safety, he is self-driven and committed to creating meaningful, positive change in society.
Rohan Sequeira
A distinguished Consultant Cardio-Metabolic Physician with an extensive career spanning over 25 years. Professor Sequeira specialises in Non-Invasive Cardiology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Management, and holds senior consultant positions at prestigious institutions such as Jaslok Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, and Breach Candy Hospital in India. His wealth of experience extends to cross-country healthcare implementation and the international medical and para-medical domain. With a keen understanding of addressable market needs and a vast network in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, Dr. Sequeira plays a vital role in advancing healthcare solutions. He is an active and esteemed public heatlh advocate especially in low-middle income countries that suffer the disproportionate burden of disease.
Marewa Glover
Professor Marewa Glover is one of New Zealand's leading tobacco control researchers. She has worked on reducing smoking-related harm for 32 years. She is recognized internationally for her advocacy on THR and was a Finalist in the New Zealander of the Year Supreme Award in 2019 recognising her contribution to reducing smoking in NZ. In 2018, Marewa was appointed Tobacco Section Editor for the Harm Reduction Journal. In 2018 she also established the Centre of Research Excellence: Indigenous Sovereignty & Smoking, an international program of research aimed at reducing smoking-related harms among Indigenous peoples globally. The Centre's research was funded through to 1 September 2024 with grants from Global Action to End Smoking (formerly known as Foundation for Smoke-Free World), an independent U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization, accelerating efforts worldwide to end the smoking epidemic. Neither Marewa nor the Centre have any commercial interests in any nicotine or tobacco products.
Alex Wodak
Dr. Alex Wodak is a retired physician who was President of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation for many years. He has worked full time on drug law reform and then tobacco harm reduction (THR) as a volunteer in his retirement. Together with colleagues, he started the first needle syringe programme (1986) and the first medically supervised injecting centre (1999) in Australia when both were pre-legal. Dr. Wodak was President of the International Harm Reduction Association (1996-2004). He has been interested in THR since 1992 but only active in THR in recent years. Dr. Wodak helped to start the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (1987).
Solomon Rataemane
Prof. Solomon Tshimong Rataemane is the head of Department of Psychiatry at the University of Limpopo (MEDUNSA CAMPUW in Pretoria). He has special interest in child psychiatry, mood disorders and addiction medicine. He has served as deputy chairperson and chairperson of the Central Drug Authority of South Africa from 1995 to 2005. He is currently involved with UCLA Substance Abuse Program in collaborative research to improve Cognitive Behavior Therapy for counselors at SANCA Clinics in South Africa.
He is a Board member of ICAA (International Council on Alcohol and Addictions) and serves on the Health Committee of the Health Professions of South Africa assisting in physicians' health management. He is currently the Interim Executive Dean of the Health Sciences Faculty of the University of Limpopo. The current engagements include an effort to develop policy and protocols for management of substance abuse.
He was appointed Deputy Chair of the Medical Research Council of South Africa for the triennium 2007-2010, and also serves third term as member of the Colleges of Psychiatry (2 terms as senator and current three-year term as ordinary member of college of Psychiatry).
Mervyn Mer
Mervyn is a Principal Specialist and professor in the Department of Medicine, Divisions of Critical Care and Pulmonology at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a specialist in internal medicine, pulmonology and intensive care medicine and is Clinical Head of the multidisciplinary adult Intensive Care Unit at CMJAH. He is a previous President of the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa (CCSSA), and the current Chairperson of the Global Intensive Care Working Group of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). He is passionate about sepsis and sepsis care and serves as Advocacy Officer at the African Sepsis Alliance.
Alton Samuels
Advocate Alton Samuels holds an LLB (2008) and an LLM (2010) from Stellenbosch University. He is an admitted Advocate (2013), having completed his pupillage at the Cape Bar in 2016, and is also a qualified mediator. Following the completion of his LLM, Advocate Samuels built an extensive background in legal academia over a ten-year period. Between January and June 2011, he taught Commercial and Private Law at North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). He subsequently joined the Department of Private Law at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), presenting lectures on Family Law, Law of Succession, Law of Persons, and Introduction to Legal Studies. From December 2017 to February 2021, he lectured in Property Law, Law of Succession, and Civil Procedure at the University of Cape Town. Alongside his academic career, Advocate Samuels developed a broad practice in general civil litigation, focusing primarily on Property, Succession, Administrative, and Constitutional Law. In 2021, Advocate Samuels joined Elsabe Klinck and Associates, stepping into the role of Director in 2022. Currently, he serves as Director and Partner at Klinck & Samuels. In his current practice, he manages a wide range of healthcare legal matters, including Council for Medical Schemes complaints and appeals, forensic audits of healthcare practitioners, and the representation of healthcare practitioners before the HPCSA..
Edwin Mbugua
I am an experienced public health expert with over a decade of experience in Health Systems Strengthening, Harm Reduction, Participatory Design, Quality assurance, Research and Development and Policy Advocacy. I am a seasoned manager with a well-developed understanding of national and global content, trends and intervention strategies and experienced in all aspects of managing programs. I have worked in various senior management positions for more than a decade, and I have a good understanding of the organizational policies, culture and tenets. I have technical expertise in health with a strong record of successful policy guidance especially in health, nutrition, agri-nutrition and food security as evidenced by numerous studies, publications and policy guidelines produced over the years.
I look forward to interacting with Harm Reduction interventionists and experts from all over the world during the 2025 HRiSSA Workshop.
Cllive Bates
Clive Bates is a public health and sustainability consultant with experience across the private, public and non-profit sectors. His career began at IBM before he moved into environmental advocacy, primarily with Greenpeace. From 1997 to 2003, he served as Director of Action on Smoking and Health in the United Kingdom. He later joined Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Strategy Unit and held senior roles within the British public sector and the United Nations in Sudan. He has spent more than 11 years living and working across Africa, including Sudan, Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
Clive is currently Director of Counterfactual, a consulting and advocacy practice focused on pragmatic approaches to public health and sustainability. Much of his work centres on tobacco harm reduction and the potential of lower-risk alternatives to reduce the disease and premature deaths associated with cigarette smoking.
Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh
Professor Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh is a public health physician whose work are at the confluence of health policy, health economics and public health. She has served in significant roles including as the Dean of School of Liberal Sciences, President of Malaysia's Society of Harm Reduction (MSHR), the Chairperson for health economics in the Technical Advisory Committee for Health Economic Evaluation with Health Ministry. She is a consultant to governmental bodies on using casemix in health and technical advisors to a few LMIC on various health-related matters, including tobacco control, health financing and hospital efficiency.
Maria Nicoleta Turliuc
Maria Nicoleta TURLIUC, Ph.D., Univ. Prof., is member of Psychology Department at Faculty of Psychology and Sciences of Education, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University from Iași, Romania. She is the director of the Centre for Personal Development and Professional Formation, the coordinator of Couple and Family Processes LAB, and of Masteral program Couple and Family Therapies. Mrs. Turliuc obtained the "Andrew Mellon" grant offerd by Maison des sciences de l'homme (MSH, Paris, France) and Council of American Overseas Research Centers (Washington D.C.), and was director or member of several other research grants. Prof. Turliuc published 5 author books, coordonated 6 volumes, published 10 book chapters abroad and over 50 book chapters in the country. Also, she published more than 140 studies in ISI and BDI Journals and, as Keynote speaker, she was invited to 11 International Confrerences.
Praneet Valodia
Praneet Valodia is an adjunct professor and independent healthcare consultant with over 30 years of experience in managed healthcare, public health, pharmaceutical policy, and health economics. He has held senior roles in the corporate sector, including director and executive positions at Metropolitan Health, Medscheme, and ICON.
Praneet is a recipient of four national awards, including the UWC Chancellor's Outstanding Alumnus Award and the Titanium Lifetime Achievement Award. He has played a leading role in shaping healthcare policy in South Africa, notably as a long-serving member and chair of task teams within the Ministerial Pricing Committee.
Praneet continues to consult widely on health innovation, digital health, real-world data analytics, and access to affordable, quality healthcare. He is an award-winning academic, researcher, and mentor, with his work published in peer-reviewed journals and presented internationally.
Mark Tyndall
Mark Tyndall is a Canadian physician with specialty training in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and public health. He is currently a professor at the University of British Columbia and has worked extensively in Canada and internationally focusing on HIV, illegal drug use, and harm reduction. He has been a pioneer in harm reduction strategies such as needle/syringe programs, supervised injection sites, and safe supply projects. With over 250 academic papers, he is a leading advocate for reducing the risks associated with drug use and tobacco harm redution. Explore more about his work in a TED Talk on harm reduction.
He is dedicated to promoting the use of low-risk nicotine products to combat combustible cigarettes across the world and especailly in low-middle-income countries.
Stephen Mutiso
Dr. Stephen Mutiso is a Researcher/Epidemiologist in Kenya and he has over 15 years of experience in both the clinical practice and the policy arenas, with a special interest in addressing NCDs and their risk factors from a population health lens. He also sits on the advisory board of the Injury Prevention Institute of Africa (IPIFA) and is an avid wildlife enthusiast.
Sara Touirsi
Dr Sara Touirsi s a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and public health specialist with a strong focus on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), sexology, geriatric psychiatry, and addictology. She is dedicated to improving access to quality mental healthcare through innovative, patient-centred, and evidence-based approaches.
Trained at Hassan II University in Casablanca and the Université Libre de Bruxelles with a certificate in Specialised Medical Studies In Psychiatry. She currently runs a private practice for adult psychiatric care while collaborating with NGOs on addiction prevention and mental health promotion. Her professional background includes serving as Head of the Scientific Council of African Global Health and chairing the Scientific Organising Committee for the African Health Harm Reduction Conferences. An active educator and advocate for patient-centred care, Dr. Touirsi focuses on integrating psychiatric services into primary healthcare and advancing evidence-based public health initiatives across Africa.
Eunice Tatah
Dr Eunice Tatah holds a PhD in Public Health and brings over 12 years of experience in program management, field operations, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and measurement, learning, and evaluation (MLE). She holds a Masters Degree in Public Health, a Bachelors Degree in Health Sciences, and additional training in Public Policy Analysis and Leadership and Management in Health.
Dr Tatah has served in diverse roles including Delegate for Advocacy with the society, HRiSSA (Harm Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa), Visiting Lecturer at the Catholic University of Central African States and the University of Buea, Deputy District Chief of Service in Kumbo East Health District, and M&E Officer in Kumbo West.
Dr Tatah is a published researcher with four scientific publications and three more under review. She is also a recipient of the PEPFAR (2017) and EGPAF (2018) project implementation awards in Cameroon. Known for a dynamic and results-oriented approach, she possesses strong leadership, analytical, and reporting skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines and drive impactful public health outcomes.
Shaun Shelly
Shaun brings academic, programmatic, research, clinical and lived experience together into a 360 degree-view of the complex issues that inform our understanding and response to the use of certain drugs and the people that use them.
Shaun was previously the Executive Director at Harm Reduction International. He was the Human Rights and Policy lead at TB/HIV Care, where he founded South Africa Drug Policy Week. He holds a post as a researcher at the University of Pretoria, Department of Family Medicine. He is the former Deputy Secretary of the United Nations VNGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs. He is a co-founder and chairperson of the South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD) and sat on several Boards and advisory groups, locally and internationally.
Shaun was awarded the 2016 SASOP Special Achievement Award for advancing psychiatry based on his notable contribution to addressing the stigma and difficult socioeconomic circumstances associated with addiction. He was a 2016 Open Society Drug Policy Fellow and has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on subjects ranging from police culture to the neurobiology of dependent drug use.
Monique Marks
Professor Monique Marks is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg and is a Research Fellow at the University of Stellenbosch. She is a therapist and health coach in private practice. Her practice, Yourhealthprof, is based in Durban, South Africa. Her specialist areas are substance use disorders, ADHD, and end-of-life wellness. Monique has been an advocate and implementer of harm reduction for the past 10 years. She was one of the architects and founders of South Africa's first low-threshold opioid substitution therapy programmes. She was also the founder and co-director of the Belhaven Harm Reduction Centre in Durban. She has published 7 books and over 80 peer-reviewed articles, with her most recent publications focusing on harm reduction and substance use. While her work in harm reduction has mostly focused on drug use, she has been active in the tobacco harm reduction arena for the past two years, having hosted two symposiums on this subject - one in South Africa and one in Kenya.
David Mungai
Dr David Mungai is a qualified medical doctor, practicing general surgeon, and academic lecturer at Kirinyaga University in Kenya. Alongside his clinical and teaching commitments, he is deeply engaged in public health initiatives, volunteering with the Stop-TB Kenya partnership to drive vital peer and public education campaigns aimed at tuberculosis awareness and prevention. Furthermore, Dr Mungai is a recognised harm reduction expert and an active member of the Harm Reduction Society of Kenya, where he advocates for evidence-based policies and practices to improve community health outcomes.
Carolyn Beaumont
Dr Carolyn Beaumont is an Australian general practitioner, educator and writer. She is committed to improving health outcomes for lower socioeconomic communities, and reducing smoking harms is core to this philosophy. Since 2020 Carolyn has worked within Australia’s unique vape prescription model. By engaging with thousands of adult smokers and vapers, she has a deep understanding of the many health equity issues such a restrictive policy creates. Her national telehealth clinic 'SmokerHealth' ran from 2020-2024. With the goal of reducing smoking-related death and disease, it provided vape scripts alongside lung and cardiac screening specifically for smokers.Carolyn's political advisory work contributes to Australia's current response to the illicit tobacco crisis. She has co-authored articles with Dr Colin Mendelsohn, presented to secondary schools about black market vapes, and is a regular contributor to global tobacco harm reduction forums. She is currently writing her first book, Unfiltered. Drawing on interviews with surgeons, physicians, scientists and policy experts, it uncouples smoking-related harm from nicotine. Common misperceptions are challenged, consumer perspectives are included, teenage vaping is explored from unexpected angles, and doctors are given pragmatic tips on how to engage and motivate a smoker to quit. Carolyn had a previous “second life” as a pianist and teacher before embarking on medical studies in her late 30s.
Mahmoud El Batanouny
Professor Mahmoud El Batanouny, is an eminent Egyptian pulmonologist, clinical educator, public health advocacate and Professor of Chest Diseases and Allergy at Beni Suef University and the Faculty of Medicine at Kasr Al Aini, Cairo University. With decades of specialised medical experience, he has built a distinguished career bridging academic research, clinical teaching, and advanced patient care in respiratory medicine. As a leading consultant at premier institutions like Almehwar Hospital and Newgiza University Hospital, his practice focuses on advanced pulmonology, interventional bronchoscopy, and complex conditions such as severe asthma, COPD, and Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Beyond his hospital consultations, Dr. El Batanouny is a recognised thought leader and an active member of prominent medical organisations, including the Egyptian Association of Chest Diseases and the Egyptian Association of Allergy, solidifying his reputation as a cornerstone of pulmonary healthcare and medical education in Egypt.
Susan E. Ryan
Chairperson, SCIHRIA
Our Esteemed Panellists Round Table - Advocacy and the path forward together and timelines
Professor Mervyn Mer (Facilitator)
Mervyn is a Principal Specialist and professor in the Department of Medicine, Divisions of Critical Care and Pulmonology at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a specialist in internal medicine, pulmonology and intensive care medicine and is Clinical Head of the multidisciplinary adult Intensive Care Unit at CMJAH. He is a previous President of the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa (CCSSA), and the current Chairperson of the Global Intensive Care Working Group of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). He is passionate about sepsis and sepsis care and serves as Advocacy Officer at the African Sepsis Alliance.
Honourable Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
Dr. Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi is a South African medical doctor and veteran politician currently serving as the Minister of Health. His political consciousness was forged during student activism at the University of Natal in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where he served as SRC President, co-founded the Azanian Students' Organisation (AZASO), and helped mobilize students for the 1983 launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF). After completing his MBChB in 1983, he ran a medical practice in Jane Furse while leading local anti-apartheid structures, including the Sekhukhune Advice Office and the ANC’s Northern Transvaal region. Motsoaledi transitioned into public governance post-1994, serving as a Limpopo Provincial MEC across several portfolios before moving to the national cabinet. Best known for expanding South Africa's landmark HIV/AIDS antiretroviral program and leading global tuberculosis initiatives during his first tenure as Health Minister (2009–2019), he subsequently led the Department of Home Affairs (2019–2024) before being reappointed as Health Minister in 2024.
Dr Nono Simelela
Dr Simelela from South Africa is WHO’s Assistant Director-General and Special Advisor to the Director-General for Strategic Priorities. She oversees the organization’s work on cervical cancer elimination, gender, equity, human rights and youth. In her prior role, she served as WHO's Assistant Director-General for Family, Women, Children and Adolescents.
Dr Simelela has more than 30 years of experience as an obstetrician, academic, advocate and government official, and has previously served as Special Advisor to the Vice President of the Republic of South Africa on Social Policy, where she supported the multisectoral, governmentwide response to HIV. Dr Simelela joined the National Department of Health, South Africa, after qualifying as the country's first black female gynaecologist. She worked for more than 20 years in the Department of Health, initially as a senior lecturer and clinician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Medical University of Southern Africa, and has had a distinguished career both in government and as a private medical doctor.
Other previous senior leadership roles held by Dr Simelela include serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the South African National AIDS Council, and as the Director o
Ms Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule
Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule is a prominent South African political activist, diplomat, and administrator who currently serves as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC). Born in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape, she rose through the ranks of anti-apartheid student politics with the South African Youth Congress and later made history as the first female Secretary-General of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in 1996. Academically accomplished with a Master’s degree from the University of the Witwatersrand focusing on youth labour market policy, she has occupied highly influential administrative roles. These include serving as the South African Ambassador to Poland (2005–2009), the Deputy Chief of Staff for the African Union Commission (2015–2017), and the Deputy Chairperson of the SABC Board, establishing her as a versatile leader in governance, strategic planning, and youth development.
Dr Vasi Agambaram
Dr Vasavan (Vasi) Agambaram is a highly regarded specialist Psychiatrist based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, with extensive experience in comprehensive mental healthcare. He holds a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry and is a registered member of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Association of South Africa (CBTASA), integrating evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques into his clinical practice. Operating his primary private practice out of Life Entabeni Hospital in Glenwood, Dr Agambaram specialises in diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide spectrum of psychiatric conditions and mood disorders. Recognised within regional medical communities, he also frequently collaborates with organisations like the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) to facilitate educational health seminars, cementing his reputation as a dedicated mental health advocate and clinician in the eThekwini region.
Professor Jannie Hugo
Professor Jannie Hugo is a prominent South African physician, academic, and leader in family medicine renowned for his pioneering work in Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC). As the former Head of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pretoria and Director of its COPC Research Unit, he played a transformative role in shaping South Africa's primary healthcare landscape, developing ward-based outreach teams, and designing mobile health systems like AITA Health. His extensive contributions include co-founding the South African Clinical Associate profession to combat healthcare worker shortages and spearheading the Community Oriented Substance Use Programme (COSUP) to support vulnerable communities. Honored with the South African Medical Association Lifetime Award in 2018, Professor Hugo remains a vital figure in medical education and the implementation of practical, community-centered health models.
Location & Travel Guide
Venue Details
The Protea Hotel, Sea Point, Cape Town
Getting Around
Nearest Airport: Cape Town International Airport
Here's what people are saying
"Thank you. This Harm Reduction event is the most needed in Africa. Well done to all for the most impactiful
and meaningful workshop of 2024! "
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— Eunice —
"I am very pleased to be here and involved in this harm reduction entity. For the first time, a group of people with diverse experience and interests are getting together to discuss in an open, honest and transparent fashion their viewpoints. We have shared scientific evidence and also how best we can approach and limit the impact of tobacco harm reduction. We aim to improve the lives and favourably so, of many, many individuals."
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— Mervyn —
"I loved attending this event because it was so informative and the speakers were so knowledgeable. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about Harm Reduction in Sub-saharan Africa."
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— Gabriel —
Gallery Of Past Events
Take a look at some of the amazing moments from past events:
FAQ
Passionate Harm Reduction experts across Sub-Saharan Africa and Africa unite as proactive advocates for Public Health initiatives. Let's ensure that low and middle-income countries are not left in the shadows. At SCIHRIA our approach is grounded in practicality and empathy as we champion Public Health and advocate for policy changes to promote access to safer nicotine alternatives. Empowering smokers with effective strategies to break free from traditional tobacco.
Some info: Vaccinations:
Cholera and yellow fever vaccinations are recommended, and typhoid, tetanus, and hepatitis vaccinations are also advisable.
- Malaria:
Malaria prophylactics and mosquito repellent are recommended for protection against malaria.
- First Aid Kit:
It's wise to bring your own first aid kit with essentials like plasters, gauze, anti-blistering agents, iodine, and medication for common ailments.
- Food and Water:
Stick to bottled or filtered water and be cautious about food hygiene, especially when eating street food.
Safety:
- Petty Theft: Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against petty theft, especially in crowded areas.
- Scams: Be wary of potential scams, such as individuals impersonating officials or offering unsolicited assistance, especially with money.
- Security: Consider the security situation in your specific location and take necessary precautions, such as securing your accommodation and being aware of your surroundings.
- Local Laws: Familiarize yourself with local laws, such as those concerning same-sex relationships, photography, and currency.
- Embassy/Consulate: Have contact information for your embassy or consulate readily available.
- Copies of Documents: Make copies of your passport, visa, and other important documents.
Thank you for joining us!
Attending this event will give you the opportunity to learn more , network with other public health professionals, and gain valuable insights into the latest scientific evidence-based literature.
Contact us for more info
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us now for more information. We are thrilled to have you join us at this special event.
The Scientific Insights in Harm Reduction in Africa society (SCIHRIA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering appropriate, quality patient care supported with the latest scientific evidence-based data. The society is administered by harm reduction experts and as such has a latitudinous collaboration across both African and global harm reduction focus groups and research networks. Patient advocacy and Public Health are an integral focus of the Society and to this end, information and resources are made available to patients and their families on all aspects of harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa.
No less than nineteen tobacco harm reduction experts from 8 Sub-Saharan African countries met in Cape Town 2024 to discuss the huge and growing toll of smoking tobacco in the region and new measures promising to accelerate the decline in smoking. None of our members have vested interests in the tobacco or vaping industry. We bring together diverse scientific, clinical, and lived experience to ensure our work remains independent, evidence-based, and patient-focused.
The majority of smokers in the world now live in Low-and-Middle Income Countries (80%) with approximately half the smoking related deaths in the world occurring in these countries.
SCIHRIA
Visit our website to get involved and learn more. All rights reserved. 2026. Copyright.SCIHRIA.
Welcome To SCIHRIA 2026!